Permawar: The forces of the Islamic State have been significantly damaged by coalition air strikes, Secy. of State John Kerry said at a meeting of diplomats in Brussels. “Our commitment will be measured most likely in years but our efforts are already having a significant impact,” he said. Kerry went on, “We will engage in this campaign for as long as it takes to prevail.”

At the Pentagon: In an odd political dance, national news outlets are reporting that former deputy defense director Ashton Carter will be named the next boss at the Pentagon, but the White House refuses to confirm it or make the announcement. Carter is a physicist who’s spent years at the Pentagon. It’s believed he will be easily confirmed, but the White House might be vetting him first just to be sure.

The Cosby Show: A Southern California woman sued comedian Bill Cosby yesterday claiming that he molested her in a bedroom of the Playboy mansion in 1974 when she was just 15. Judy Huth’s suit says Cosby gave several drinks to her and her friend then forced Huth to perform a sex act. Huth says the incident was psychologically damaging and she realized that only within the last three years, which allows her to file the suit at this late date under California law.

World: The American couple detained in Qatar after they were cleared in the death of their child, have been allowed to leave the country. A court ruled Sunday that Matthew and Grace Huang were not responsible for the death of their African-born 8-year-old adopted daughter, who appeared to have died of an eating or nutritional disorder.

The Obit Page: Bobby Keys, the hard-partying sax man who played the legendary solo on the Rolling Stones’ song “Brown Sugar,” has died at age 70. Not a regular member of the band, Keys was called in to studio sessions when the Stones needed horns. He played with everyone from Buddy Holly to Joe Cocker and Eric Clapton. Keys couldn’t read music. He once said, “That’s not where I come from musically. I come strictly from feeling, and that feeling comes from rock ‘n’ roll.”

>Jean Béliveau, the powerful, agile and high-scoring member of the Montreal Canadiens in their dynasty years, has died at age 83. Béliveau dominated in the days when hockey was played with no helmets, and frequently no teeth. He retired in 1971. In 18 full seasons, Béliveau’s name was engraved on the championship Stanley Cup 10 times.

The Sports Page: The University of Alabama Birmingham has announced that it is punting and getting out of Division I football. Facing increasing costs to keep up with the professional-quality teams like Alabama and Ohio State, UAB gave up. Football schools are under pressure to build new facilities and give “student athletes” more money. The folding of UAB’s team could be a sign of a coming shakeout in big time college football.

Small Screen: Diehard fans of Showtime’s “Homeland” called for a national security alert Sunday night when the latest episode of the show disappeared. The producers decided to take the night off, leaving viewers wondering whether Saul and Carrie survived that cliffhanger RPG attack. Fans of international intrigue will just have to follow news of the real thing until next Sunday.

Bold and Beautiful: Sen. John McCain went on a tirade yesterday before a vote that confirmed a soap opera producer to become ambassador to Hungary. Colleen Bell, whose husband’s family were pioneers in soap operas, gave $800,000 to President Obama’s last campaign. McCain said, “I understand how the game is played, but here we are, a nation (Hungary) that is on the verge of ceding its sovereignty to a neo-fascist dictator getting in bed with Vladimir Putin and we’re going to send the producer of ‘The Bold and The Beautiful’ as the ambassador.” Who better to understand affairs, even if they are international.

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